CHANGE is brewing at GMA, sparking discussions among TV fans and industry insiders.
Effective this Saturday (March 1), Lilybeth Rasonable (LGR or LiGoRas) is stepping down as Senior Vice President of the Entertainment Group, a role she has held since 2013.
While the announcement disclosed by the Philippine Stock Exchange has sparked mixed reactions, it’s hard to ignore that her departure marks the end of a distinct, if contentious, era in Philippine television.
A Look Back at a Tenure of Transformation
Rasonable, a graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communication (1985), began her media career at IBC and ABC (now TV5) before joining GMA in 1998. She played a role in the success of early fantasy dramas like Mulawin and Encantadia before taking over as SVP in 2013, succeeding Wilma Galvante.
The industry and media enthusiasts did not see her stewardship favorably, some being described by some as “lopsided" because of the perceived imbalance in programming and creative direction. Critics often compared her approach unfavorably with that of her widely respected predecessor, who now makes waves at NET25.
Her stint was split into halves: the hard & demeaning years (2013-19) and the high & demanding years (2020-25).
The Hard & Demeaning Years (2013-19)
Some of the entertainment shows aired have been disparaged due to ratings, carbon copies of US shows (e.g., Alyas Robinhood was seen as a poor copy of Arrow) and memetic folly (e.g., Ika-6 na Utos and Beautiful Justice).
But not all Kapuso shows were not bad like My Husband's Lover and Rhodora X.
The High & Demanding Years (2020-25)
The year 2020 marked the sudden and expected turn of events for the national TV industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic kicked off with a strict lockdown in Luzon (i.e., the ECQ) back in March 2020, which brought productions to a screeching halt and disrupted the schedules.
Then, with ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal denied in July of that year, GMA solidified its position as the dominant free-to-air network.
A Philippine Competition Commission market study (released last January 31, 2025) revealed GMA's staggering 15.5 to 1 share advantage over remaining competitors in the year of the shutdown. This dominance has translated into significant financial gains, providing a buffer against industry volatility and solidifying Rasonable's position.
The twin effects gave GMA Network a unique advantage:
- With Ignacia's fate sealed, GMA secured a dominant position in generalist TV broadcasting, especially on weekday afternoons (Afternoon Prime). As expected, GMA has the virtual monopoly of daytime teleseryes and can change time slots as long as they want to.
- Additionally, the Kapuso Network needed to offer work to Kapamilya stars and talents who were now without a platform, as their previous employer could no longer or barely produce content for that daypart as it was before. These individuals faced potential career decline and urgently needed projects to sustain their visibility and livelihoods.
As part of the higher-up, Rasonable has to realize that.
Along with the rising acceptance of streaming, she also witnessed the launch of Kapuso Stream in 2022. Despite the gains, criticism persisted, showing that just because they have the cash and power doesn't mean they should be complacent (Hindi pwede ang pwede na 'yan, they say). This is despite the enjoyable entertainment put together by another department in Kamuning -- the Public Affairs.
Key Projects under Her Watch
Since then, her recent phase included overseeing the execution of their megaseryes, the teleserye projects that comprise a significant portion of the Network's entertainment production budget each year:
- 2021: Legal Wives
- 2022: Maria Clara at Ibarra
- 2023: Voltes V: Legacy
- 2024: Pulang Araw
Interestingly, all featured Dennis Trillo, with two of them also available on Netflix.
Apart from collab with the former competitor that some Kapuso purists weren't too happy about, the TV network got Family Feud back, rolled out Running Man Philippines, and took full control of The Voice of the Philippines franchise.
Looking Ahead: New Beginnings and Exciting Ventures
With LiGoRas leaving, which some welcomed with relief, many are now looking ahead to what’s next for GMA’s Entertainment Group under OIC Cheryl Ching Sy.
Come March and beyond, viewers can look forward to new shows on the Kapuso network.
One of the standout features is “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre,” a major project from the much-loved Encantadia franchise, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Right now, no premiere date has been announced yet, as they’re building the hype by dropping trailers, just like V5L does.
With the Encantadia spin-off happening, there’s a buzz about the upcoming "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition Collab" as the well-known reality show also marks its 20th anniversary. It’s set to premiere on March 9, so that could mean a bit of a runtime squeeze, especially for Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on live nomination nights and the finale (i.e. Big Night) -- and not to mention, one slot in GMA Prime for their daily highlights.
As the post-Rasonable era begins soon, GMA faces both challenges and opportunities. Will it sustain its dominance, or will the new leadership bring a much-needed creative renaissance?
One thing is certain: change is coming to Philippine television.
Enjoy your retirement, Madam Lilybeth, and thank you for your service!
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